Faith and Redemption in The Ghost Writer

Kristen Reimer

Yes Thanks Sally. Hey everyone, welcome back to The Reading Lane, the podcast where story meets Scripture! I'm Kristen...

Scott Coleman

...and I’m Scott—and today we are fired up about a new read that honestly surprised us in the best way. Kristen, what did we just finish?

Kristen Reimer

Oh yes. We just finished reading "The Ghost Writer" by L.G. Nixon. This is book two in The Issachar Gatekeeper series, and if you thought the first one had high stakes—this one turns it all the way up. Ghost hunters Lucy Hornberger and Schuyler Williams are back, chasing spirits through their school. And every time they vanquish one ghost, another one shows up... and Lucy somehow gets blamed for the chaos.

Kristen Reimer

Which, by the way, ups the emotional intensity. It’s not just “solve the mystery”—she’s also trying to stay in school and prove she’s not the cause of all the destruction. It’s a real test of character.

Kristen Reimer

Exactly. And this time, there’s a curse, crazy artifacts from a mysterious trunk, and the Spectrescope—this powerful tool that evil forces desperately want. Darnathian and his army are still hunting it down, trying to discover its ancient secrets and the secret of the Life Tree. And where will we find Lucy? Lucy is definitely in the crosshairs.

Scott Coleman

Yes she is. As my friends in Scotland say, "AYE! Nae doot aboot it."

Scott Coleman

Overall, what a book! Right from the first page, it pulls you into this profound exploration of faith and redemption. I mean, let’s be honest here, it’s not just good storytelling, it’s deeply purposeful storytelling.

Kristen Reimer

Absolutely. And you know, it’s the way Nixon weaves those themes of redemption and trusting in God’s plan without it ever feeling preachy. It’s, well, it’s authentic. And honestly, Kristen, that opening chapter? It hit me so hard—I saw myself in the protagonist, stepping into the unknown. It, uh, totally took me back to my own move to Canada.

Scott Coleman

Ah, yes, I can see that. This book blew me away. I don’t usually go for middle-grade fiction, but The Ghost Writer has depth. It’s really fun to read, but it’s not fluff. There’s serious spiritual truth under all the action and mystery. So, Scott, tell me, though, how did the experience in the book compare for you, your own experience?

Kristen Reimer

Oh, it was so similar! I remember packing up my life back in Cambridge, leaving the known for, well, a place that was just a picture on a brochure. There’s this, uh, this raw mix of fear and hope that Nixon captures perfectly. Like his character—I didn’t know the “why” of it all, but I... trusted it. And the way it unfolds in the story? It’s such, I don’t know, vivid storytelling.

Scott Coleman

Uh, tell me, generally, what you think the heart of the story is?

Kristen Reimer

Great question. I think the heart of this story is discernment. The characters—especially Lucy and Skyler—are learning to hear God’s voice in a world full of noise and deception. And that theme? Right out of Hebrews 5:14, where it talks about training ourselves to distinguish good from evil.

Scott Coleman

Yes! And L.G. Nixon doesn’t shy away from the reality of spiritual warfare. There are scenes in this book that feel like fictionalized versions of Ephesians 6—you’ve got principalities, powers, darkness—but the kids aren’t afraid because they’re armed with truth, prayer, and godly community.

Kristen Reimer

One of my favorite moments was when Lucy realizes that her words—literally—have power. There’s this moment where she’s writing, and what she writes begins to affect the atmosphere. I just kept thinking of Proverbs 18:21—“The tongue has the power of life and death.”

Scott Coleman

Oh, preach! That’s such a powerful truth for young readers. And honestly, for adults too. The reminder that what we speak—and write—matters deeply.

Kristen Reimer

Can we talk about the world-building for a second? It’s so grounded in everyday school life—lockers, lunch lines, group projects—but then it layers in these moments of the supernatural, and it works. It’s like C.S. Lewis meets Stranger Things… but with Jesus.

Scott Coleman

Exactly. There’s tension, but there’s hope. There’s danger, but never despair. And what I loved most is that the characters rely on Scripture and prayer. Not as a gimmick, but as a genuine weapon against the darkness.

Kristen Reimer

And not to spoil anything, but that ending had me cheering. There’s a confrontation that is so rich in truth—like literally quoting Scripture back into the situation—and it’s so empowering.

Scott Coleman

So, final verdict, Scott?

Kristen Reimer

Five stars. Get this book. Give it to your kids, your youth pastor, your niece, your neighbor—it’s fast-paced, faith-filled, and totally rooted in the Word.

Scott Coleman

Couldn’t agree more. L.G. Nixon has given us a story that entertains and equips. The Ghost Writer is more than fiction—it’s formation. Pick it up today and support this incredible Christian author. You can find it at your Christian bookstore or at Amazon. It would make a terrific gift as well.

Kristen Reimer

That’s it for this episode of The Reading Lane. We’ll be back next week with another book that builds your faith while feeding your imagination.

Kristen Reimer

Until then, keep reading, keep praying, and keep listening to Worship Road Radio. Grace and peace, friends!